47 laughing gas cartridges seized as West Midlands Police tackled crime in Selly Oak

Drugs and vehicles were seized as West Midlands Police carried out an operation in a Birmingham suburb. Officers from West Midlands Police were in Selly Oak yesterday (September 20) where they stopped a number of cars.

A 28-year-old man fled from officers but was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, a knife. West Midlands Police say a suspect named as Omari Richards has been charged with both offences.

Later that evening a car was found abandoned in Sturge Close. Searches were carried out during which a knife was found, along with 47 canisters of nitrous oxide, a class C drug. The car was seized and will undergo forensic examination.

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A second car was stopped later that night after being caught speeding on Dawlish Road. The driver of the vehicle was found to be driving without insurance or a licence.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “The team, made up of both plainclothes and uniformed officers, focuses on areas where information is received about crime affecting our communities. It targets people believed to be involved in robberies, burglaries and drug crime.

“Their aim is to disrupt criminal gangs and crime and to reassure people with a highly visible presence. If you have any information about crime in your area, please call us on 101 and quote Op Skybridge.

“The information we receive is considered and acted upon. You can also leave information by contacting us via our Live Chat, which can be found on our website. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers, the independent charity on 0800 555 111.”